Treating apparatus.



J. ASHNWALL. TRBATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.18,1911.

LQ?? Patented 00%. 14,1913.

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s ifa 5v5/manioc J. ASPINWALL. TREATING APPARATUS.

APPLloAToN FILED 11111.18. 1911.

Patented 001.11, 1913.

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- @Witnesses Friop rfa PWEDER COL, di CR-PRATGN 'OF NEW" JERSEY.

Application led January l, 1911'.

Specification of Letters Etaient'.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, JOHN AsrrNwALn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newburgh, in theI county of Grange, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Treating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates Ato improvements in treating apparatus in which explosions are liable to occur and is more especially applicable yto apparatus for the drying of materials which have been treated with solvents of an explosive nature. l

My improvements have been especially designed with respect tov an apparatus for drying imitation leather which has been treated with an explosive solvent or solvents. However, it will be' readily apparent to those skilled in the art that my improvements may be readily and easily applied to other situations wherever the same may be found useful.

The main objects of my invention are to so construct the drying or other chamber in which the material is treated that if an explosion occurs therein the ingress and egress openings in the chamber for the passage of thematerial will be 4automatically closed, and thus prevent the explosion from doing damage in the room or building in which the drying chamber is contained, and t0 so construct the chamber' that ready and easy egress of the exploded gases maybe hadto the outside of the chamber and building in which it is contained without doing damage to the chamber, the building or its roof.

Further objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinalvertical section through a drying apparatus especially adapted for the drying of imitation leather; some part-s which have no bearing on the present invention being omitted for the sake of simplicity and clearness. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 taken on the line l--ll of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is taken on the line l-l of Fig. 2. Fig. B-is a detail outside View of a portion of the roof structure. F ig. is a detail transverse section of the arrangement for closing the inl let or exit opening in ease oi an explosion. Fig. 5 is a .detail inside view ont the saine; Y

Referring to the drawings 1 represents a suitable drying .chamber having alloor 2, vertical side walls 3, 3 and vertical end walls 60 4, 4 inclosing the chamber. The material 7 to be treated is passed from the'reel 5 over suitable guiderolls into the chamber wherey 1t is treated with the solvents or other explosive materal inanyusual or known manner. The treated material 7 then. passes through the ingress opening 8 and into the chamber 1 where it is dried in any usual ory welly known manner. As the material passes through thechamber 1 it is dried, giving olf 70 the explosive vapors of the'solvents which may be condensed or got rid of in any usual or well known' manner. After becoming dried the material passes out through the egress opening 9 and is wound up upon the 75 roll 10 which may be driven in any suitable manner. As shownthe apparatus is arranged the same at both ends so that the material may be passed in either direction therethrough.

A. support 11 is placed at each end of the machine on which the material rests. These supports extend the entire length of the openings 8 and 9. Secured to the framework and extending along the entire length of the top of the opening 8 is an iron plate 19A and. extendin along the entire length of the bottom of the opening is a second iron plate 13 which is rigidly secured to the framework. In a similar manner a plate 14 extends along thel top of the opening 9 and a plate 15 along its bottom. Extending the entire length of the opening 8 and pivoted to the plate 12 is a plate 16 having its lower edge held up just above the material 7 by strings 17, one end of which is secured to the lower edge of the plate 16, the other y end being secured to the framework by any suitable means such as screw eyes. Extending the entire length of the opening '9 at 100 the other end of the apparatus and pivoted p to the plate 14 is a plate 18 having its lower edge held just above the material 7 by strings 19 in the same manner as the plate 16 is held by the strings 17.`

Over the top of the chamber 1 is placed a covering 27 of fabric suitable to confine the vapors and dryin medium within the v chamber 1 but readi y giving Way in case an explosion occurs.

. The end walls 4 of the chamber 1 extend upwardly as at 20 and through and beyond vthe main roofs 21 vand end roofs 21a of the building 22 in which the apparatus is contained. The end roofs 21a cover-the ends of the apparatus which is outside of the walls 4, 4. The side walls 3, 3 also extend upwardly beyond the main roof of the building as at 23. At the top of the side walls 23 they are provided with Ventilating openings 24 which, in `cold weather, mayv be closed by shutters 25. The shutters 25 may be held up or in open position by rods 26.

Covering the space surrounded by the walls 20, 20, 23, 23, is a roof structure comprising roof members 28 pivoted or hinged as at 29. The pivoting or hinging parts'29 are covered by a roof structure 29. The axis 29 extends over the middle of the space between said walls and substantially the entire length of the apparatus. The outer and lower edges of the roof members 28rest upon the tops of the walls 20, 20, 23, 23.

Now, in case an explosion occurs in thechamber 1, as by the ignition of c ombustible solvents or other` material, the pressure within the chamber initially acting against the plates 16 and 18 causes them to liy outward toward the outside of the chamber breaking the easily broken strings 17 and 19, so that the plates 16 and 18 will take a position such as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 and thus effectively close the inlet and exit openings of the apparatus and prevent theexplosion doing damage within the rooms of the building 22, the pressure caused by the exploded 'gases easily breaking or rending the wall or covering 27' of the drying chamber. The exploded gases then pass into the chute formed by the inclosing Walls20, 20, 23, 23. This chute extends to the outside of the building in which the apparatus is contained by passing to an opening in the roof, as clearly shown in the drawings. The force of the explosion becomes somewhat diminished as the gases reach the roof or outside of the building,

but the pressure of the gases readily causes the closure or roof members to fly upwardlyl as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and give vent to the exploded gases and allow them to escape to the outside atmosphere. Thus the path of the exploded Gases is directed directly to the outside oi:` the entire building and all openings from the chamber 1 to the inside of the building are effectively closed. To this end Athe roof 21 of the building meets the vertical walls 20, 20, 23, 23 materially below,,the top thereof and below the open- 1ngs-s24- In closing the openings 8 and y 9 the plates 16 and 18 swing about their pivots and their lower edges coperating wlth the supports 11 cut or tear the material 7 in two, thus allowing the plates 16 and 18 to more readily and effectively close the openings. Of course, as soon as the explosion is over to their normal position, and the plates 16 and 18 may then be again tied up and the covering 27 replaced when the apparatus is again ready for operation without Vany material damage being done orany material loss of time.

It will be readily understood that my invention is not limited to the drying of any particular material but may be found advantageous in the drying, or any treatment, of any material in the course of which treatment explosions are liable to occur. For instance, my improvements are readily applicable to apparatus for the dryling 'or other treating of explosives. vTherefore I do not desire to be limitedto the details shown and described, except as clearly setforth in the appended claims, but

Having fully and clearly described my the roof members 23 returnv 4als improvements, what I claim and desire to secure b' Letters Patent, is:

1. A rying apparatus in which explosions vare liable to occur, having side and end walls, and two roof members acting as a cover for the space bounded by said walls, said roof members being hinged or pivoted at an axis over the middle of said space, and movable upwardly to allow of the escape of gas in case of an explosion and a roof structure covering the pivoting or hinging parts.

2. A drying apparatus in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing wallsand roof. members pivoted or hinged to allow the roof members to move upwardly to allow the escape of gas in case of an explosion and a roof struct-ure covering the pivoting or hinging parts.

3. An apparatus in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls and a roof member hinged or pivoted to allow the member to move upwardly to permitv the escape of gas in case an explosion occurs and a roof structure covering the pivoting or hinging parts.

4. An apparatus of the class described, in which explosions are liable to occur, having side walls, means whereby the material to.

be treated may be passed in at one part of the apparatus and removed at another part of the apparatus, and a roof structure resting on top of said walls and pivoted -or hinged to allow the same to be movedupwardly by the gas pressure in case an explosion occurs, and other walls about the apparatu's and roof structure extending fromsaid last mentioned walls to said first mentioned walls and meeting the same materially below the tops of said first mentioned walls.

5. An apparatus of the class described, in

' which explosionsv are liable to occur, having side, walls, and a roof structure resting on top of said walls and pivoted or hinged to allow the same to be moved upwardly vby walls,

for the exit of the material and membersinvaso@ the gas ressure in case an explosion occurs, said wa ls having openings therein near the top and doors or covers for closing said openings.

6. An apparatus for drying imitation leather, in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls with two openings in said walls, the other for the exit of the material and a pivotedplate situated opposite each opening and movable under excessive pressure to close said openings when an explosion occurs.

7. An apparatus for treat-ing material, in which explosions are liable to occur, having a chamber with its inclosing walls with an opening therein for the passage of the material and a member pivoted near said opening and movable toward the outside of the chamber under excessive pressure initially acting thereupon to close said opening when an eX- plosion occurs. l

8. An apparatus for treating material, in which explosions are liable to occur, having inc'losing walls with two openings in said one for the entrance and the other situatednear said openings and movable under excessive pressure to close said openings when an explosion occurs.

9. A11 apparatus for treating material in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls with an opening therein for the passage of the material and a member situated near said opening and movable un'- der excessive pressure to close said opening when anexplosion occurs, and means for supporting said member away from said opening, said means being easily brealrable under said excessive pressure.

10. An apparatus fortreating sheet material, in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls, wit-h an opening for the passage of the material, a member pivoted just above said opening and movable under excessive pressure to break the material and close said sion occurs.

ll. An apparatus for treating sheet material, inA which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls with two openings in said walls, one for the entrance and the other for the exit of the material, members pivotally mounted adjacent said openings and movable under excessive pressure to break the material and close said openings when an explosion occurs and strings for norinally supporting said members away from said openings, said strings being arranged to give way under said excessive pressure.

-12; An apparatus for treating materials in which explosions are liable to occur,y having inc'losing walls with an opening therein for the passage of the material and a member situated near said opening and movable one for the entrance and `or hinged to allow the opening when an explo-l under excessive pressure to close said opening when an explosion occurs and a root structure for said walls, pivoted or hinged to allow thesame to move upwardly by the gas pressure when an explosion occurs.

13. An apparatus for treating `sheet ma terial, in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls with two openings in said walls, one for the entrance and the other for the exit of the material, members pivotally mounted adjacent said openings and movable under excessive pressure to break the material and close said openings when an explosion occurs and strings for normally supporting said members away from said openings, said strings being arrangedto Give wa* under said excessive pressure, and members forming a roof structure resting on said walls, said members being pivoted 0r hinged to allow the same to move upward-ly by the gas pressurewhen an explosion occurs.

14C. An apparatus for treating sheet material, in which explosions are liable to occur, having inclosing walls, an opening for the passage of the material, a member pivoted just above said opening and above the material and a support for the material adjacent `the lower edge of said member, said member being movable under the excessive pressure of an explosion to cut the material between itself and said support and then close said opening.

l5. An apparatus in which explosions are liable to occur, havin a chamber in which the explosions are liab for said chamber which under the force of an explosion, a chute above said covering into whichthe exploded gases may pass, and a roofA structure over said chute, said roof structure being pivoted exploded gases to escape into the atmosphere.,

16. An apparatus in which explosions are will easily give way liable to occur, having a chamber in which to occur, a cover-A the explosions are liable ing. for said chamber whichwill easily give way under the force of an explosion and a roof structure over said covering, said roof structure being also arranged to easily give way Linder the explosion to allow the exploded gases tohescape. V

17, in an apparat-us inwhich explosions are likely to occur, having a chamber in which the explosions are liable to occur, a chute above said chamber into which the exploded gases may pass land a roof structure over said chute, said roof structure be ing'- pivoted or hinged to allow the exploded gases to escape into the atmosphere.

18. ln a drying apparatus, a drying chamber, a building in which the chamber is contained, said chamber having surrounding walls, one of said walls being arranged to easily give way under the .torce of an exe to occur,a coveringroo no l

nov/ases plosion, a chute adjacentl said Wall, into which the exploded gases may pass, said chute extending to the outside of the building and a structure for closing the outer end of said chute.

19. ln a' drying apparatus, a drying chambei', a building in Which the chamber is contained, said chamber having surrounding walls, one of said Walls being arranged to easily give Way under the force of an ex plosion, a chute adjacent said Wall, into which the exploded gases may pass, said chute extending to the outside of the building and a structure for closing the outer end of said chute, said structure being pivoted or hinged to allow the exploded gases to escape.

20. An apparatus in which explosions are liable to occur, comprising a chamber in which the explosions are. likely to occur, a building in which the chamber is contained, said chamber having surrounding Walls, one of said Walls being arranged to easily give way under the force of an explosion and a chute opposite said Wall into Which the exloded gases may pass, said chute extending to the outside of the building.

21. An apparatus for evaporating ex plosive solvents from treated fabrics or the l like, comprising a drying chamber inA which the solvents are liable to explode, said chamber having inlet and outlet openings therein for the passage of .the fabric or the'like, heating means in said chamber for heatino' the fabric-for the like to evaporate the so vents therefrom, and a member situated near each opening and movable under excessive pressure to close said opening When an explosion occurs.

22. An apparatus 'for evaporating explosive solvents rom treated fabrics or the like, comprising a drying chamber in which the solvents are liable to explode, said'eharnber having an opening therein for the passage of the fabric or the like, heating means in said chamber for heating the fabric or the like to evaporate the solvent therefrom, andv a member situated near said opening and movable under excessive pressure to close said opening When an explosion occurs.

ln testimony whereof, l have signedA my name to this specifica-tion, in the nresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

` JOHN AsriNWALL. l

Vlitnesses:

H. MCCONN, C. A. PETERS. 

